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Bird of paradise

Gardening Reference » Gardening in 2004

Hello everyone--I am a complete novice and have been know to kill house plants:(! we just moved into a new rental with a wonderful front and back yard with gorgeous rose bushes (which so far are survivng my minor gardening skills:)--and a wonderful and very large bird of paradise located on 1 side of our garage. It gets direct sunlight in the morning but not the rest of the day--did have flowers on it when we moved in ( a few) but I noticed many of the leaves are yellow to black. I would really like to bring this plant back as they are some of favorite flowers--any suggestions??Thanks

by catlover on May 19, 2004 01:25 AM

I live in Fallbrook, north county San Diego and have been gone the last several days so I don't know what the weather has been like...but I do know before I left it was hotter than heck. Did they get enough water during the hot period????

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by nitingale on May 20, 2004 08:15 PM

Thanks for replying--I think they have gotten enough water since we moved in as I have noticed some new growth (one or two new leaves) however we have only been here since the first of May so can't answer for before that--I am going to try and cut off all the dead leaves and stalks this w/e and see if that helps--I am currently watering every other day for 10-20 minutes--depends on how long my 18 month old son leaves the hose alone:)! If you have any other suggestions that might help they would be greatly appreciated!Thanks

When my parents had them they were in full sun most of the day....we only watered them maybe once a week...if hot maybe twice weekly. Bill recommends fertilizer but we only fertilized maybe 4 times per year if that. They were monster BOP. I agree with cutting out the dead or dying stuff....once the leaf starts going they don't come back. I have a feeling it was just tooo hot during that spell and not enough water. I have a feeling you are watering a little too much at this point but maybe the soil was just tooo dry and needed a good soaking....after it starts coming back try and reduce the water to maybe twice a week but make sure it is deep watered. If your child leaves the hose alone long enough maybe set it on a trinkle and let it go for awhile twice weekly. If you have real sandy soil it may just be leaching right through and couldn't grab the water fast enough.

Keep us updated on your BOP condition....just attach it right to the bottom of this post.